AN: Hey guys! Thank you for the wonderful reviews :) Here's the next chapter! Hope you guys like it xx

Saturday May 24th

For some reason, Arianna awoke at five that morning. Perhaps it was the date, or perhaps it was muscle memory from all the Saturdays she'd done it at school… Either way, she didn't feel tired, so she got up, taking her time getting ready. She took a long shower, and sat down to read up on Blue Magic while her hair dried in the warming summer air, the sun streaming through her open window.

It was 8 when she heard her parents stir. She closed her book and tucked it back into the suitcase, before sealing it and putting it away.

As she heard her parents trudge down the stairs, she went to the mirror and brushed her now dry hair, smiling serenely. Things had been going rather well with her parents lately, and she hoped today would be no exception.

She walked calmly down the stairs, worry niggling slightly in her mind. But she ignored it, favouring optimism for this day.

And as she walked into the kitchen, she smiled. The smell of pancakes wafted from the stove, and her Mother turned to her and grinned.

"Happy Birthday, Arianna!" She cried, before Arianna was swept into a hug by her Dad.

"Happy Birthday." He said with a grin, putting her down. "17, eh? You're growing too fast! Slow down a bit." He winked, pulling her in for another hug. Oh if only you knew… Arianna thought.

If her parents knew about her marriage… about all of it… would it make things easier? Possibly… She could have spoken to them when the marriage happened, talked to them when the news got out and her friends had shunned her. She wouldn't have been alone.

But then, she hadn't been alone. She'd had Hieronymous. Granted, it wasn't the same kind of company or conversation, but she had been glad of it. Virginia had been teasing her since the beginning of the year because, for some unknown reason, Arianna enjoyed Hieronymous' company. His conversation was interesting, and despite what most people thought, he did have a sense of humour, even if it was rather dry. He was kinder than he let on, and it seemed that now he was finally opening up to her. Perhaps they weren't a proper married couple, but they were friends.

After eating the pancakes, her parents presented her with a small pile of gifts. Their family wasn't well off, but they had enough to spoil their daughter occasionally, and Arianna was grateful for everything they gave her.

As she opened the presents, she found a new ipod (which she immediately filled with music; not useful at school, but certainly during the holidays), a couple of books that she'd had her eye on during spring break, a new diary and set of pens (useful for her sophomore year), a silver necklace with a blue jewel hanging from it, and a crocheted (very cute) red dragon. She'd always been interested in dragons, even before learning they were in fact real… Creatures of the Otherworld, dangerous and wild, but fascinating. She smiled, and her parents asked her to name him.

Despite herself, she ended up naming him Hieronymous.

To celebrate, they went out for a meal. A simple place, which reminded her very much of the Glen, the small magical restaurant hidden near the mall. She'd been there twice (that she could remember)…

The first was with her husband (though he wasn't her husband at the time…). It was after the candle sale. Hieronymous had become absorbed in his book (which she had since learned was a habit of his – a slightly endearing one) and neither of them had known what time they were supposed to finish at the stall. When the mall began to close, he had finally looked up from his book, realised how late it was, and said they should return to campus. However, Arianna had nearly fainted (which would have been painful, since she'd have landed on the candles). Thankfully, he caught her and so as to prevent her from fainting again, he took her to the Glen and bought her a drink. It had been the kindest thing he'd done before their accidental marriage.

The second time was on the day of said marriage… Professor Potsdam had insisted on treating the whole affair as if it were a happy, normal wedding, and had taken her and Minnie (their witness, and eventually the culprit of spreading the news, be it by accident or not) to 'celebrate' at the Glen, with a meal. It hadn't felt like much of a celebration at the time.

This was a celebration.

They laughed and joked, and despite the air of uncertainty, Arianna enjoyed herself. If she didn't know better, she'd have said they were acting like they used to. But that wasn't quite true. It was a truth she wanted to avoid.

That evening, they plugged her new ipod into the stereo and danced stupidly to some of her favourite songs. It reminded her of how they used to celebrate New Year's, dancing to an album she'd received for Christmas. They'd offer her wine, but she would refuse. She had tried it once and Hieronymous was right; she didn't like wine in the slightest.

It was a wonderful day, full of smiles and love, more so than she'd shared with them the entire summer so far. And she was happy of course.

But she couldn't shake the feeling of unease. The feeling that this was like "the last supper", not that she was Christian, but they'd been taught the basics… and this all felt like a final goodbye, even thought there was no reason for it.

Ah well, perhaps she'd mention it to Hieronymous if he contacted her later.

It was 10 o'clock when her parents decided they would head to bed.

"Goodnight, Mom. Goodnight, Dad. Thank you for a brilliant day!" she said, hugging them both tightly.

"You're welcome sweetheart. Happy Birthday." Her Mom said, smiling lovingly at her.

"Goodnight, kiddo." Her Dad said, ruffling her hair lightly. She smiled up at him.

"I love you."

"We love you too." Her Mom replied, kissing her head. "Goodnight." And they both disappeared into their room. Arianna smiled, brushed her teeth and went to sit on her bed, pulling out her diary and pen.

Dear Diary,

Today was wonderful. I'm seventeen now, but I don't feel any older… maybe because I was forced to grow up a little bit too quickly during school. Oh well.

My parents got me some great gifts! I got a new iPod (That'll have to stay home at the beginning of the school year), some books, a new diary (don't worry, it's for when you run out) and some new pens. They also gave me a beautiful necklace. It has this blue gem encrusted in a silver heart. It's so beautiful. I decided to put it on, I'll have to remember to take it off before I go to sleep tonight. The last present was this adorable red dragon plushie. I named him Hieronymous, because I think my husband could easily be described as a dragon… Terrifying, but amazing. Okay, enough with that train of thought…

Although I do wonder if he'll contact me tonight. He asked if it would be okay in his last letter. I hope my reply reached him today. If not, I guess I'll just have to wait.

Is it odd that I miss him? I miss talking to him on Saturday morning when I collected the mail… I miss his harsh sense of humour. I miss his love of oddly titled books. I miss him. I know there is no guarantee or promise between us. He kissed me because I asked him to, so perhaps it's foolish of me to hope that it might mean something for us… He is my teacher, I know. But he's also my husband, and I can't help but think that that is no bad thing.

She could feel herself beginning to babble, so she ended the entry there, closing the book and putting away her pen. As she slid the book under her pillow, she saw the fake history magazine.

Arianna had not looked at the yearbook since seeing the picture, which still made her fume. Hieronymous had still been unable to talk to Professor Potsdam about the problem, and in his last letter he had seemed irritated by that, not that Potsdam didn't irritate him in the first place.

Pulling the book out, she watched the fake cover melt away. However, instead of leafing through the pages, she skipped straight to the final page, where a space had been indicated for friends to sign. Professor Potsdam, Ellen, Virginia and Minnie had all signed, Potsdam's being her usual trick of pushing her and Hieronymous together: "Best of luck to you both in the future!" but Arianna appreciated the sentiment. Ellen thanked her for "being a great roommate", Minnie thanked her for looking out for her, and Virginia had said "You're awesome, but weird! Have a good summer, loser!" and Arianna didn't know quite what to make of that. She was probably referring to her crush on Hieronymous. Said Professor had also signed it, and Arianna hadn't been able to hide the blush as she'd read it: "I look forward to seeing you again in the fall. – Hieronymous." It felt more personal than any of the others for some reason she couldn't quite pinpoint, so she hadn't shown anyone, just hugging the book tightly to her, however silly the thought was.

He'd even given her a genuine smile after signing, and she'd smiled back, not blushing simply because she hadn't read it yet. Virginia had teased her before saying goodbye, but it had all been in good fun. Her roommates were at least understanding of the fact that she did actually rather like her husband… Not that anyone else had been told the circumstances of their marriage.

She traced his signature absent-mindedly, before glancing at the clock. 10:30… she should go to sleep. So she put the thin book back in its place under her pillow, and snuggled down into the covers with a yawn, closing her eyes. She was not one to fall asleep instantly, since she suffered from mild insomnia, and it usually took her around two hours to fall asleep.

However, she stopped trying when she felt a familiar presence in her mind. Her eyes opened, and she opened the communication, without moving.

Hieronymous?

Hello, Arianna. I trust I haven't woken you.

No, I was about to go to sleep.

Ah, forgive me, perhaps we should talk another time? He was calm, as though he had expected such a situation.

No, no! She thought, a little panicked. She wanted to talk to him. She calmed herself before continuing. It takes me ages to fall asleep… It's fine.

Very well. How are your magic studies going?

Much better. I get a chance, sometimes, to read some of one of my books at night, or if I wake up extra early.

I do hope you aren't forsaking sleep entirely.

No, not at all!

Very well, I shall believe you. She sent a wave of indignation to him, and she heard him chuckle lightly.

I'm afraid I must ask… he began, and she tensed slightly. How fare affairs concerning your parents? His wording was convolutedly formal, but the concern was apparent.

It's been… difficult. She decided that was the only word she could think of. There are a lot of instances where they seem to simply forget that I'm here… But today was great.

Today?

Oh! Of course, he didn't know. Why would he? Teachers weren't meant to know everything about their pupils… Then again, teachers also weren't meant to be married to their pupils… Today was - she glanced at the clock – is my birthday.

Then happy birthday. He seemed a little confused.

Are you alright?

I am simply wondering why you did not mention it in your previous letter.

Uh… I don't really know.

Very well. You had a pleasant day then?

Yes… It was… It was like it was before I went to Iris. Like nothing had changed.

Well that is good to hear. But there was a hint of concern in his thoughts, and Arianna frowned.

Is something wrong?

No, nothing at all. I should let you sleep. Goodnight, Arianna.

Oh, okay. Goodnight. And the connection was severed. Arianna was left feeling a little confused.

Okay, ominous much? XD

I'm at least ten chapters ahead of my uploads now XD I write this more than I do my NaNoWriMo (which is bad XD) so you're gonna get frequent updates for a while at least ;)

Reviews make my heart sing! xxx